Houston firefighters killed battling 5-alarm fire

Firefighters are fighting a five-alarm fire at a Bhojan Restaurant at 6855 Southwest Freeway IB and an adjoining Southwest Inn Motel.

Firefighters are fighting a five-alarm fire at a Bhojan Restaurant at 6855 Southwest Freeway IB and an adjoining Southwest Inn Motel.

Image
1of/1

Caption

Close

Image 1 of 1

Firefighters are fighting a five-alarm fire at a Bhojan Restaurant at 6855 Southwest Freeway IB and an adjoining Southwest Inn Motel.

Firefighters are fighting a five-alarm fire at a Bhojan Restaurant at 6855 Southwest Freeway IB and an adjoining Southwest Inn Motel.

Houston firefighters killed battling 5-alarm fire

1 / 1

Back to Gallery

HOUSTON (AP) — Four Houston firefighters were killed battling a five-alarm fire at a southwest Houston motel Friday, according to our news partners at ABC-13.

At least five other firefighters were injured.

The blaze broke out just after noon at a restaurant and club at the Southwest Inn on U.S. 59, one of Houston's most heavily traveled expressways. Flames spread to the motel part of the building and were still shooting from the roof of the structure more than an hour later.

No cause for the blaze was immediately announced. Phone messages left with the fire department weren't immediately returned.

Temperatures in the low 90s and high humidity hampered firefighting efforts, and smoke from the fire snarled traffic on the expressway.

The fire broke out just after noon at the Southwest Inn along the Southwest Freeway near Hillcroft.

An HFD spokesperson said four firefighters had become lost, but all were found. Two of them were in critical condition, and two others were in extremely critical condition. All four were transported to area hospitals, and it is not known whether they were the ones who died. The names of the firefighters who died have not been released.

Two other firefighters were taken to local hospitals for other injuries, or heat-related conditions. Their conditions are not known.

Witnesses tell Eyewitness News the fire began in the Bhojan Restaurant at 6855 Southwest Freeway IB, although that has not been confirmed with officials. All patrons and employees of the restaurant got out safely.

The roof of the building has collapsed in areas, as the fire continues to travel through the building. The structure houses a sports bar as well.

Thick black smoke coming from building can be seen for miles. The feeder is closed to inbound traffic. Currently the main lanes of the SW Freeway are still getting by, but traffic is heavy in the area.

The Red Cross is on the scene providing assistance and a Metro Bus is available for rehab for firefighters.